Dengue fever: Federal coordination cell set up for twin cities

ISLAMABAD:

A coordination cell has been established at federal level for the control and prevention of dengue fever in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The decision was taken in a meeting of the Federal Anti-Dengue Coordination Cell held in CADD on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by MNAs, officials from Capital Development Authority (CDA), Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)
and the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD), said a press release.

The cell, which will be headed by Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Secretariat, Establishment and CADD Raja Javed Ikhlas, will also ensure effective liaison between the concerned departments.

Rawalpindi DHO Dr Khalid Randhawa briefed the meeting about identification of larvae and anti-dengue programme details.

A comprehensive plan has also been chalked out for identification and eradication of dengue larvae. The plan will be implemented in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Ikhlas and MNAs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhy and Seema Jilani said during that meeting that through the federal coordination cell, efforts for controlling on dengue would be made similar to those in Punjab.

They added that all governments departments would utilise their full potential and available resources to control dengue, along with continuing awareness campaigns in the twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad.

Jilani said the CDA should take proactive steps for the removal of solid waste in katchi abadis and where construction work is in progress.

CADD Secretary Faridullah Khan informed the meeting that a CADD additional secretary would be the coordinator of the Federal Anti Dengue Cell and would supervise and review the performance of all departments.

He also underlined the need to create awareness among the people about adoption of precautionary measures against dengue and to safeguard their houses from dengue larvae.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2014.